Guide to the internet speed needed for video conferencing

For reliable one-on-one high-definition (HD) video calls, a practical internet speed for video conferencing is 5 to 8 megabits per second (Mbps) for both upload and download speed. Group meetings, screen sharing, and multiple devices may require more bandwidth to maintain clear audio and video.

Advertised speed is only one part of call quality. Upload and download speeds, latency, connection stability, and other internet activity in your home are also important. Wi-Fi^® interference, router placement, gaming, streaming, and cloud backups can reduce available bandwidth.

Key performance factors include:

• Your upload speed, which affects how clearly other participants see and hear you
• Your download speed, which affects the video, audio, and shared content you receive
• Your latency, jitter, and packet loss, which influence real-time performance
• Your household activity, such as streaming, gaming, and cloud backups
• Your home-network conditions, including router placement and Wi-Fi interference

Together, these factors affect video call quality, while bandwidth needs vary by call type and number of participants.

Recommended bandwidth by call type and participant count

The recommended internet speed for video conferencing varies by call type and participant count. Higher video resolutions, more video feeds, and screen sharing generally require more bandwidth.

Broadband speed and connection quality

High-speed internet can help support these demands. It generally refers to a broadband connection with sufficient download and upload capacity. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) raised its benchmark for fixed broadband on March 14, 2024. The benchmark calls for download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps. A single video call often needs much less speed.¹

Sufficient upload and download speeds can help support clear video and smooth screen sharing, while low latency and a stable connection help reduce lag, freezing, and dropped audio.

Bandwidth for simultaneous activity

Video calls and other online activities share your bandwidth. Your connection needs enough speed to handle them at the same time.

The table below lists practical minimums and preferred speeds for common video-conferencing activities.

These figures are approximate planning targets.²

Aim for more than the minimum speed. This gives your connection room for more people, shared content, and other internet use at home. That extra speed can help your calls stay stable as network demand changes.

Why internet speed matters for video conferencing

Your video call sends camera, microphone, and screen-sharing data while receiving content from other participants. Many home internet plans provide faster downloads than uploads. This may work well for streaming but can limit video-call performance when upload capacity is insufficient.

Upload capacity and call performance

Low upload speed may freeze your video or break up your audio for other people. This can happen even when their video looks normal to you. Higher video resolutions and frame rates generally increase bandwidth use. Audio settings and the conferencing platform’s compression methods also affect data use.

Latency, jitter, and packet loss

Speed isn’t the only factor affecting your performance:

• Latency is the time your data takes to reach its destination. High latency causes pauses and may make you talk over other participants.
• Jitter is variation in your latency. Excessive jitter can make your audio sound choppy and your video stutter.
• Packet loss occurs when your data doesn’t reach its destination. You may experience dropped words, distorted sound, and frozen images.

Turning off HD video can reduce your bandwidth demand when your connection becomes unstable. Disabling incoming video or switching to audio only can reduce it further during a temporary slowdown.

Because these problems can look alike during a meeting, measurements are the best way to distinguish them.

[Read: Understanding download speed vs. upload speed]

Testing and measuring your connection

Run a speed test before you upgrade your plan or buy new equipment. If possible, test with Ethernet first. This gives you a starting point that isn’t affected by Wi-Fi range, walls, or interference.

Measurements to record

Record these measurements during each test:

• Your upload speed
• Your download speed
• Your latency, often displayed as ping or ping time
• Your jitter, if reported
• Your packet loss, if reported
• Whether you used Ethernet or Wi-Fi
• Your test location and time of day

Repeat your test under conditions that reflect how you normally use your connection:

• Over Wi-Fi from your usual workspace
• During your typical meeting hours
• While other household members use your network normally
• After pausing streaming, downloads, and cloud backups
• Near your router and farther away from it

Compare the results to find patterns. Your connection may change based on the time, location, connection type, or internet use in your home.

A recurring difference between Ethernet and Wi-Fi results may point to a wireless coverage or interference problem. If repeated Ethernet and Wi-Fi tests both show poor performance, investigate your service tier, modem or gateway, test device, and provider connection.

Don’t rely on one unusually high or low result. Run several tests over multiple days and compare recurring patterns with the recommended bandwidth ranges. If your connection barely meets a minimum, it may become unstable when network activity increases.

Once you identify a recurring pattern, you can focus your troubleshooting on the most likely cause.

Troubleshooting and network optimization

You can correct many video-call problems without replacing equipment or purchasing a faster internet plan. Begin with simple changes before moving to advanced adjustments.

Basic troubleshooting steps

Try these basic troubleshooting steps first:

• Use Ethernet for important calls.
• Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or gateway.
• Turn off HD video if your meeting becomes unstable.
• Close applications and browser tabs you don’t need.
• Disable virtual backgrounds on older computers.
• Restart your modem, router, and computer.
• Test after making one change at a time.

If these changes don’t help, consider these network adjustments:

• Select a less congested Wi-Fi channel if your router supports manual channel selection.
• Enable Quality of Service (QoS) controls, if available, to prioritize your work device or real-time traffic.
• Replace damaged or outdated Ethernet cables.
• Check whether an older router is limiting your available speed.

Router settings such as channel selection and QoS can help manage available bandwidth, but they can’t increase the speed included with your internet plan.

If your wired tests repeatedly fall below your plan’s expected performance, document the dates and results before contacting technical support or your internet provider.

If these fixes help only temporarily, the physical network setup deserves a closer look.

Home network setup for reliable video calls

Your connection type, competing devices, router placement, and workspace conditions can all affect performance.

Router and mesh Wi-Fi placement and network usage

Use these practices to create a more dependable video-conferencing setup:

• Position your workspace near your router when using Wi-Fi.
• If your router allows manual band selection, use the 5 GHz band near your router and the 2.4 GHz band when you need greater range.
• Place your router in a central, elevated, open location away from large appliances and other interference sources.
• Pause high-resolution streaming, gaming, cloud backups, and large downloads during your meetings.
• Schedule bandwidth-intensive activities outside your typical meeting hours.
• Ask other users to limit network demand during interviews, presentations, and critical calls.
• Keep your computer, router, camera, and conferencing software updated.
• Consider mesh Wi-Fi for a large or multistory home.

Place your mesh units where they can still receive a strong signal, not inside an existing dead zone. Each unit needs a reliable connection to your main router or another mesh unit to extend coverage effectively.

Creating a reliable workspace

A dedicated workspace can also improve consistency. Position your computer where walls, metal objects, and appliances cause minimal signal obstruction. Use automatic channel selection or choose a less congested channel if neighboring Wi-Fi networks create interference.

If your device remains in one location, a permanent Ethernet connection may be your most dependable option.

These practices can improve the consistency of your home network. The following answers can help you evaluate the remaining speed and connection tradeoffs.

Internet speed for video conferencing FAQs

These answers cover connection speed and video-call performance.

What speed do I need for video calls?

The speed you need depends on your call type and other activity sharing your connection. For a one-on-one HD call, 5 to 8 Mbps in both directions is a practical planning target.

For group meetings and regular screen sharing, consider 8 to 10 Mbps upload and 15 to 20 Mbps download. If your household has simultaneous calls or other bandwidth-intensive activity, you’ll need more total capacity.

Why does upload speed matter?

Your upload speed determines how much outgoing data your connection can transmit each second. When enabled, your camera, microphone, and shared screen continually generate outgoing data during a meeting.

Limited upload capacity may cause other participants to receive frozen video, delayed screen sharing, or broken audio. This can happen even when the incoming video on your screen remains clear.

Adequate upload capacity helps other participants see and hear you clearly.

What else affects call quality?

Bandwidth is only one part of your video-call performance. Your network consistency, wireless conditions, and computer resources can also affect your experience.

Common causes of poor call quality include:

• High latency, jitter, or packet loss
• A weak Wi-Fi signal
• Wireless interference
• Network congestion
• An outdated router or device software
• Excessive background applications
• Limited computer memory or processor performance

Evaluating these factors can help you prevent unnecessary internet-plan upgrades.

Does faster internet always improve calls?

A faster plan can help when insufficient bandwidth is causing your problem. Test with Ethernet first. If your wired calls work well but your Wi-Fi calls don’t, focus on wireless coverage and interference instead of immediately upgrading your plan.

Upgrade your plan if repeated tests show that you don’t have enough available bandwidth to support your calls and simultaneous household activity.

Is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi?

Both connection types can support your video calls, but Ethernet usually provides a more consistent connection than Wi-Fi. It avoids the wireless interference, distance, and obstruction issues that can affect Wi-Fi.

Reliable Wi-Fi may be adequate for your routine meetings. Ethernet is preferable for interviews, presentations, webinars, and other calls where connection stability is especially important.

A reliable video call depends on more than internet speed. Upload capacity, latency, network congestion, Wi-Fi coverage, and connected devices can all affect call quality. Testing your connection during a typical workday can help identify problems and determine whether adjusting your setup or service could improve performance.

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Connecting changes everything, and we’re here to help keep you connected.

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¹Federal Communications Commission, “FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark,” March 14, 2024, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401205A1.pdf.

²The bandwidth ranges in this guide are editorial planning estimates intended to help you evaluate your connection. They aren’t federal standards, platform-specific requirements, or guarantees of performance.